An embarrassing screw-up has led to the invention of the first ever “selfie bench”

This is how you capitalise on a bad mistake.

When the council in Porthcawl, Wales mistakenly built two new roadside benches facing inland instead of towards the sea, locals were quick to dub them 'selfie benches'. Now, the accidental pieces of innovative public architecture have become something of an attraction for tourists and those who live nearby – though not everyone is a fan. https://twitter.com/VisitBritainPR/status/720654962892652544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Hugh Murray, the director of the Bridgend Tourism Association is inviting anyone visiting Porthcawl’s esplanade to take their own 'bench selfie' and to 'share it on social media using the hashtag #SelfieBench'. Of course, the benches have been met with some resistance. Many argue that the selfie benches – much like selfies in general – will make people swallow and not appreciative of the wider Welsh landscape. In response, the council has agreed to reverse one bench in order to 'give people the choice'. https://twitter.com/Jessicanton/status/720642842767552512 https://twitter.com/BridgendCBC/status/720956058378903556 https://twitter.com/burden_nic/status/721060301341356032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/ReachRural/status/720640832425107457